Microsoft has confirmed the acquisition of 3DV Systems, an Israeli company that specializes in advanced image sensing technology. A number of patents owned by 3DV Systems and Prime Sense have reportedly been licensed by Microsoft for use in Project Natal.

Sega and High Voltage Software have finally shipped the long-awaited Conduit for the Nintendo Wii. Conduit, a hard-core FPS (first-person shooter), features a "intense conspiracy-laden single-player campaign," along with an advanced arsenal of weapons and high-tech equipment. The Conduit also supports online multiplayer battles for up to 12 participants.

Famous actor Shia LaBeouf has reportedly referred to the Nintendo Wii as an "amateur console." LeBeouf - who referred to himself as a "gamer" - also claimed he would rather "eat glass" than play the Wii version of LEGO Star Wars.

Rockstar Games has confirmed that Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars will be available for the Sony PSP this fall. The latest version of the popular title is expected to feature "upscaled" widescreen graphics, enhanced lighting and advanced animation.

John Schappert has ditched Microsoft's hallowed halls for the familiar corridors of Electronic Arts. The top executive, who once managed EA's studios and online infrastructure, will assume the role of COO immediately upon his return.

Opinion – It appears that there has been a lot of chatter about what
Steve Ballmer told an audience of 1500 Chicago executives yesterday at
a luncheon of The Executives Club of Chicago. Ballmer mentioned a new
Xbox for 2010. Whether it will be a new SKU or a Project Natal-equipped
device, we have no idea. What we do know, however, that it is too early
to speculate. Any such speculation should be taken with with a grain of salt at this time.

Activision CEO Bobby Kotick has demanded that Sony implement an immediate Playstation 3 price cut. Kotick explained that the the PS3 has lost "momentum," while the Wii and Xbox "are just selling better." Kotick also noted that Xbox games generated a higher ROI (return on investment) in comparison with PS3 titles.

The DoD (Department of Defense) has confirmed the worldwide deployment of America's Army 3. The game reportedly offers players an authentic Army experience by "reflecting" the training, technology, actions and career advancement of a US soldier.

I've always had a soft spot for Amazon. Perhaps too soft. I'm not ashamed to admit that I have purchased a number of items from the online megastore in the early hours of the morning when I was perhaps too, err, relaxed, to know better, only to find a day or so later that I already owned the CDs and DVDs that had just dropped onto the doormat.

Analyst Opinion - It’s been almost a week since the last U.S. analog
television signals finally faded to black. By now, if you’re not among
the vast majority of viewers getting content through a cable or
satellite subscription, you likely find yourself in one of three
situations.

Virgin Media and Universal Music announced plans to offer unlimited
music downloads for a flat fee. It isn’t quite the groundbreaking idea
it is made up to be, as similar thought came up after the shutdown of
Napster back in 2002. Now the music download environment seems to have
matured enough to roll out such a service. We just don’t know how much
it will cost. How much would it be worth to you?

Microsoft is reportedly eyeing a major upgrade for its Xbox 360 console. According to 1Up, Natal - Microsoft's controller-free motion control technology - will be integrated into the upgraded unit. However, the company is also expected to distribute the new controller as an add-on for existing Xbox 360 consoles.

Sony has rebuffed claims that Apple's popular iPhone may negatively affect PSP-Go sales. "At the end of the day, the iPhone is a phone," Jack Tretton, president and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment of America told CNBC. "At the end of the day, we're a game system. If the iPhone gets you interested in gaming, that's good for me, because it gives me a chance to sell you a PSP."

A recent study funded by the National Parkinson's Foundation has concluded that Wii games help improve coordination, reflexes and other movement-related skills.
"The games require visual perception, eye-hand coordination, figure-ground relationships and sequenced movement, so it's a huge treatment tool from an occupational therapy perspective," explained Dr. Ben Herz.

A US District Court judge has summarily dismissed a patent-infringement lawsuit brought by Guardian Media Technologies against Nintendo's Wii. "We are very pleased with the Court's decision," said Rick Flamm, Nintendo's general counsel. "Nintendo vigorously defends patent lawsuits. At the earliest stages of this case, Nintendo convinced the Court to dismiss this case as Guardian's patent had nothing to do with Nintendo's products."